From Dene Francis, Northwood:

Following the release of video showing a serious assault taking place in Cowes, no less a personage than the mayor of Cowes and an IW magistrate Cllr Paul Fuller called for an increased police presence in the town. (CP, 03-08-18).

As government contributions to police finances continue to fall year on year, so will police numbers — the Hampshire Constabulary of 2018 has 25 per cent fewer police officers than in 2010.

The potential consequences of deep cuts to the police and other public services were not subject to any form of study or modelling before the austerity policy was implemented.

Now eight years later, we have a wealth of data which brings to life the dire predictions of professionals whom government chose to ignore or denigrate.

While ministers intone fiscal responsibility when challenged on the effects of cuts, it is not hard to find reports of spending that look profligate.

For instance; government spent £600 million on consultants for the HS2 project in 2017 alone.

Translate that figure spent on consultants into the world of public protection, and a picture emerges of the dislocation between government priorities and those of the public.

£600 million is the sum that government has cut from the Metropolitan Police since 2010. This has resulted in the loss of 2,000 police officers, 4,500 support staff and 3,000 PCSOs.

£600 million is two times the Hampshire Constabulary annual budget, with which the chief constable and her officers are expected to provide a full range policing service to two million people across 1,600 square miles 24/7.

In short, more police routinely in Cowes or anywhere else in the foreseeable future — no chance whatsoever.